Lake George eyes point system to curb unruly behavior, unkempt properties

This vacant residence and property in Warrensburg, represents the conditions that new property maintenance legislation — endorsed last week by the town leaders of Warrensburg and Lake George — is intended to prevent. Lake George’s new proposed Nuisance Abatement law goes further, imposing penalties for repeated incidences of unruly conduct of citizens and tenants. Recently, the yard of this particular vacant property has been cleaned up.
Photo by Thom Randall.

LAKE GEORGE  The village is seeking to pass legislation that prompts property owners and residents to clean up their acts, — whether it’s maintaining their properties or curbing illegal behavior.

Lake George’s Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement laws, expanded and amended, are both scheduled for public hearings at 7 p.m. Sept. 17.

The Property Maintenance law amendments include provisions that property owners must keep all exteriors of structures in sound and presentable condition, painted or treated with a protective coating, as well as free from loose shingles, crumbling masonry, or broken glass. Fences must be painted in earth-tones or white, and well-maintained.

Walks and driveways and parking spaces must be kept clean of litter, in good repair and cleared of snow and ice to allow safe passage.

With the amendment, porches must not only be kept in good repair, but they must not be used for storage.. The use of tarps or plywood to cover a building would be illegal except to protect a damaged structure — for a maximum of 90 days — while permanent repairs are being made.

Already, the law mandates that property owners or renters remove any dead or diseased tree limbs, prune trees and shrubs, and keep lawn grass or weeds from exceeding six inches, and be free of litter, trash and plant overgrowth.

The ordinance also prohibits placing food out for animals in a manner that allows pests, rodents or wild animals to be attracted to their property.

Property renters have the responsibility, as provided for in their rental agreement, to maintain their premises to the above standards.

Punishment for unruly behavior

The nuisance abatement law establishes a point system that provides strict enforcement provisions not only to the village’s property maintenance laws, but to unruly or illegal conduct of tenants of rental properties — and patrons of commercial establishments.